plate no. 5765

Portrait of Count Ivan Shuvalov

oil, canvasRococoportraitportraitfigureclothingmalehistorical figure

some experience helpful

Recreating this portrait will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness, rendering skin tones, and painting realistic fabrics. It also provides practice in achieving subtle gradations of light and shadow.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure, focusing on the head and shoulders.
step 02
Establish the background with a thin wash of dark, muted colors.
step 03
Block in the main colors of the face, hair, and clothing, paying attention to the overall value structure.
step 04
Begin refining the facial features, focusing on accurate placement and subtle gradations of tone.
step 05
Develop the details of the clothing, including the folds, textures, and embellishments.
step 06
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
step 07
Refine the background and edges to create a sense of atmosphere.
step 08
Add final details and adjustments to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · titanium white · cadmium red · raw umber

secondary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · ivory black

Achieve skin tones by mixing white, red, yellow ochre, and a touch of raw umber. Create the red coat by mixing cadmium red with a touch of raw umber and black for shadows, and adding white for highlights.

techniques